During the summer season, a number of new cruise ships and itineraries will set sail in Alaska’s waters. In fact, 30 large cruise ships are scheduled to serve the nearly 900,000 visitors who cruise in Alaska each year. New ships this year will include the return of Disney Wonder, the addition of a Princess ship, an appearance by The World of Residences at Sea and Norwegian Cruise Line’s replacement of the Norwegian Star with the higher-capacity Norwegian Jewel.

Small-ship cruise lines are also introducing new routes, ships and excursions for 2012, such as American Cruise Line’s first Alaska itinerary, with 150 passenger adventures along Alaska’s Inside Passage. InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises will introduce two new vessels and one new itinerary, with weeklong adventure cruises between Juneau and Sitka. Adventure Life and Alaskan Dream Cruises will each offer new Alaskan itineraries with a variety of destinations. In addition, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic will celebrate 30 years of Alaskan exploration with a new Undersea Alaska Program, as well as a number of other Alaska itineraries.